GBARPOLU COUNTY — ENERGICITY Liberia, a solar mini-grid operator in Gbarpolu County, has officially submitted a new tariff proposal to its customers and the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC).
The submission was made during three separate public hearings convened by the Commission from April 23-24, 2025, to discuss the proposed changes.
Speaking at the hearings, Claude J. Katta, chairman of the LERC Board of Commissioners, emphasized that under the 2015 Electricity Law of Liberia, the Electricity Tariff Regulations, and the Administrative Procedure Regulations, the Commission will not approve the proposed tariffs until ENERGICITY provides adequate justification to its customers, stakeholders, and the Commission.
Katta explained that the Commission’s actions are consistent with the 2015 Electricity Law and related regulations.
During a presentation, Kumba Kasse-Gborie, ENERGICITY’s customer operations manager, outlined the company’s operations in 10 communities across Bopolu and Gbarma districts. These communities include Bopolu, Totoquelleh, Farwhenta, and Henry’s Town in Bopolu District, and Gbarma, Zuo, Yargayah, Tarpoima, Smith Camp, and Weasua in Gbarma District.
Kasse-Gborie stated that the company plans to electrify 3,597 households, with customers categorized as 84% residential and 13% commercial, public, and productive users, such as schools, clinics, and businesses.
The proposed tariff structure includes a $12 connection fee (covering the meter and installation), a $2.05 monthly service fee (for maintenance, support, and local operations), and an energy usage charge of 45 cents per kilowatt-hour under a “pay-as-you-go” model. For clinics, the rate is 10 cents for up to 3 kilowatt-hours of daily usage, plus a $3 monthly service fee. Usage above 3 kilowatt-hours daily would be charged at the regular community tariff.
“We build, own, and operate solar-powered mini-grids to deliver affordable, reliable, and scalable electricity to off-grid communities in Benin, Sierra Leone, and Liberia,” Kasse-Gborie said. “Our mission is to empower communities and fuel long-term growth by providing clean, safe, and dependable electricity.”
During the hearings, several stakeholders and customers expressed concerns about the affordability of the proposed tariffs and urged the Commission to consider reductions, citing the county’s difficult economic conditions.
Chairman Katta concluded by stating that the Commission will review all stakeholder comments and conduct a detailed analysis before making a final decision. A ruling is scheduled for May 2, 2025, with the decision set to take effect May 10, 2025.
The public hearings were attended by Deputy Minister Charles Umehai of the Ministry of Mines and Energy; Steven Payma, business development consultant at the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency; representatives from the Liberia Electricity Corporation; civil society organizations; legislative staff members from the county’s caucus; customers; stakeholders; and local government officials.
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